ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 22, 2009--FORTUNE announced today that Build-A-Bear Workshop(R) has been
ranked 94 on the 12th annual "100 Best Companies to Work For"
list. The full list and related stories appear in the February 2 issue
of FORTUNE, available on newsstands on Monday, January 26, and now at
FORTUNE.com.
In his FORTUNE.com blog, Managing Editor Andy Serwer writes, "No matter
what happens with the economy, the demand for talent will remain. Great
companies know that super-motivated, happy, world-class employees are an
incredible competitive advantage."
To pick the "100 Best Companies to Work For," FORTUNE works with Robert
Levering and Milton Moskowitz of the Great Place to Work(R)
Institute--a global research and consulting firm with offices in 30
countries--to conduct the most extensive employee survey in corporate
America.
"This high honor is an important acknowledgement that the core values we
set nearly 12 years ago have truly been a road map to our success," said
Maxine Clark, Build-A-Bear Workshop founder, chairman and chief
executive bear. "From the beginning we wanted every associate to
participate in making Build-A-Bear Workshop the best place to work and
play! Today, we are the leading interactive retail-entertainment brand,
and the first to have both real world stores and a virtual world
experience. With more than 400 stores around the world, we have
redefined and set a new standard for retail. We've accomplished so much
in a short period of time by putting the heart - and the fun - back into
retail.
"Since we opened our doors that very first day in 1997 our core values
have included giving back to the communities we serve. Together with our
Guests we have donated over $20 million to important causes such as
children's health and wellness, literacy and education, endangered
animals and their habitats, domestic animal shelters, disaster relief
and the environment. We have a unique ability to reach kids and support
the social ventures they care about. We hope our new year-long global
movement - Love. Hugs. Peace.(TM) - will inspire and empower young people
now more than ever to share teddy bear hugs wherever needed in local
communities and abroad and to lead us towards a brighter future and a
better tomorrow."
More than 81,000 employees from 353 companies responded to the
57-question survey created by the Institute. Two-thirds of a company's
score is based on the survey, which is sent to a minimum of 400 randomly
selected employees. The remaining third is based on a company's
responses to the Culture Audit questionnaire, which asks detailed
questions about demographics, pay and benefits, and open-ended questions
on philosophy, communication and more.
Any company that is at least seven years old with more the 1,000 U.S.
employees is eligible to be included on the list. The deadline for
applying for next year's list is March 31, 2009. For an online
nomination form, go to www.greatplacetowork-100best.com.
About Build-A-Bear Workshop(R)
Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc., is the only global company that offers an
interactive make-your-own stuffed animal retail-entertainment
experience. The company currently operates more than 400 Build-A-Bear
Workshop stores worldwide, including company-owned stores in the U.S.,
Puerto Rico, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland and France, and
franchise stores in Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa. Founded in St.
Louis in 1997, Build-A-Bear Workshop(R) is the leader in
interactive retail. Brands include make-your-own Major League Baseball(R)
mascot in-stadium locations, Build-A-Dino(R) stores and friends
2B made(R) doll locations. In December 2007, Build-A-Bear
Workshop(R) extended its in-store interactive experience online
with the launch of its virtual world at www.buildabearville.com.
Build-A-Bear Workshop (NYSE: BBW) posted total revenue of $474 million
in fiscal 2007. For more information, call 888.560.BEAR (2327) or visit
the company's award-winning Web sites at www.buildabear.com
and www.friends2Bmade.com.
About FORTUNE
FORTUNE is a global leader in business journalism with a worldwide
circulation of more than 1 million and a readership of nearly 5 million,
with major franchises including the FORTUNE 500 and the FORTUNE 100 Best
Companies to Work For. FORTUNE Live Media extends the brand's mission
into live settings, hosting a wide range of annual conferences,
including the FORTUNE Global Forum. FORTUNE magazine's online home is
CNNMoney.com, the most visited and utilized business destination website.
TRADEMARKS
We would like to thank you for your interest in covering our business.
As you write your story, we would ask that you use our full Name:
Build-A-Bear Workshop(R) and that when
referencing the process of making stuffed animals you use the word
"make" not "build".
Build-A-Bear Workshop is our well-known trade name and our
registered trademark of Build-A-Bear Retail Management, Inc. Build-A-Bear
Workshop(R) should only be used in capital
letters to refer to our products and services and should not be used as
a verb.
CONTACT: Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc.
Jill Saunders, 314-423-8000, ext. 5293
314-422-4523 (cell)
jills@buildabear.com
or
Shannon Lammert, 314-423-8000, ext. 5379
314-556-3852 (cell)
shannonl@buildabear.com
Source: Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc.